Charles enlisted with the 426 Squadron of the R.C.A.F. as a Lancaster bomber pilot at age 20. In 1944 his aircraft was attacked on a mission in Germany, the plane was struck and began to rapidly descend, Charles was believed to have died. Charles is memorialized at the Runnymede Memorial in Surrey, United Kingdom.
Early Life
Charles Anthony Griffiths was born on August 4th, 1922 to Walter and Gladys Griffiths. His brother, W. Daniel Griffiths would also become part of the Dufferin Gang. He attended Northward School from 1929 to 1934, Central School until 1936, and then graduated from Devonshire Collegiate Institute in 1939. After graduating he worked as the manager of the Selkirk Golf Course, and as a clerk at Safeway and as a delivery boy at A.H. Swartz. He spent his time playing baseball, football, hockey, and swimming.
Military Career
Charles enlisted with the 426 Squadron of the R.C.A.F. as a Lancaster bomber pilot at age 20, remarking he had “always wanted to fly.” He was described as “clean cut, sincere, intelligent, should do well in air crew” by the interviewing officer. Charles completed training in Regina, Edmonton, and Saskatoon from 1941-1942. In July of 1942, he arrived in England.
On January 2nd, 1944, his aircraft was attacked on a flight mission in Germany. The plane was struck and began to rapidly descend. In order to enable his fellow officers, Pilot Officer Sparks and Warrant Officer Gridland, a chance at survival Charles remained in control of the aircraft. The two officers parachuted safely to the ground but were captured shortly after landing and taken to a German Prisoner of War Camp. The Lancaster with Charles at the controls then crashed in Furstenwalde, near Berlin. Charles was believed to have died, however, confirmation for his family did not come until 1945 when Sparks and Gridland were liberated and able to share their story.
Pilot Office George Sparks gave the official statement upon his release,
“I spoke to P/O Griffiths on the inter-com. Just before I baled out. He was not injured but was having great difficulty controlling the aircraft. Extremely unlikely he was able to leave aircraft before it exploded.”
Charles passed away on January 3rd, 1944, and is memorialized at the Runnymede Memorial in Surrey, United Kingdom. In 1946, his mother, Gladys was sent the Operational Wings and Certificate to recognize Charles’ bravery in service.
Charles A. Griffiths Collection
Click on images to enlarge
Daniel and Sarah Canvin with Charles, c1920s, Canadian Virtual War Memorial
Sources
Canadian Virtual War Memorial
Military Records, Library and Archives Canada
Winnipeg Free Press, 1942, 1944
